on the pond

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the pond" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is located or happening on the surface of a pond, often in a literal or figurative sense. Example: "The children were happily skipping stones on the pond during their picnic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The way Louis is". Louis shoots a goose one night on the pond.

The New Yorker

That one afternoon's missed ice skating on the pond made me a better parent.

The New York Times

A slight wrinkle on the pond.

The New Yorker

Some kid was on the pond.

The New Yorker

No other people were on the pond that day.

The New York Times

"There was a boat on the pond / but no water".

The New Yorker

"Sleeping With Pigs" and "Penelope on the Pond" certainly have a hurried feel.

The Economist

The outdoor game should bring back some old memories of growing up playing on the pond.

The New York Times

"Spoonbill on the pond, at the back, on the left," I said helpfully.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

At that point buying antique and period frames was a ducks-on-the-pond racket, partly because he was one of the very few people who wanted them.

Forbes

There's an excellent guide to making a wildlife pond on the Pond Conservation website.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the pond" to describe activities or objects directly interacting with the pond's surface, such as skating or ducks.

Common error

Avoid using "in the pond" when you mean something is located on the surface; "in the pond" implies submersion or being within the water itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the pond" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating location or circumstance. This is evident in examples where it describes activities occurring on the pond's surface, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on the pond" is a versatile and common prepositional phrase used to denote location or activity occurring on the surface of a pond. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also appears in Scientific contexts. While alternatives like "in the pond" or "at the pond" exist, the correct choice depends on the intended meaning. When you wish to imply that something is located on the surface of the pond it's best to use "on the pond".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon the pond

A more formal or literary way of saying "on the pond".

floating on the pond

Specifically describes something that is floating on the surface of the pond.

in the pond

Focuses on being within the body of water, rather than just the surface.

surface of the pond

Highlights the pond's surface as the location.

at the pond's edge

Specifies a location near the pond rather than directly on it.

by the pond

Indicates proximity to the pond, not necessarily on the surface.

over the pond

Suggests something is above the pond, not necessarily touching it.

near the pond

Indicates close proximity to the pond but not on it.

across the pond

Implies movement or a location on the opposite side of the pond.

along the pond

Implies movement or location alongside the pond's perimeter.

FAQs

How can I use "on the pond" in a sentence?

The phrase "on the pond" is used to indicate something is located or happening on the surface of a pond. For example, "The ducks were swimming "on the pond"" or "Children were skating "on the pond" during winter."

What's the difference between "on the pond" and "in the pond"?

"On the pond" suggests something is on the surface, whereas "in the pond" implies something is submerged or within the water. A boat is "on the pond"; a fish is "in the pond".

What are some alternatives to saying "on the pond"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "at the pond", "by the pond", or "near the pond". For example, "They had a picnic "by the pond"".

Is it correct to say "upon the pond" instead of "on the pond"?

Yes, "upon the pond" is a grammatically correct and more formal alternative to "on the pond". However, ""on the pond"" is more commonly used in modern English.